When Should You Consider Enrolling Your Deed Poll? (The Honest Truth)
If you are reading this, you have probably fallen down the Google rabbit hole of "Enrolled" versus "Unenrolled" Deed Polls. It is the single most confusing part of changing your name in the UK.
You might be worried that if you don't register your name change with the Royal Courts of Justice, it won't be "official." You might even think the Passport Office will reject it.
Here is the good news: For 99% of people, enrolling your Deed Poll is completely unnecessary. In fact, it can actually be a bad idea for your privacy.
The "Official" Myth: Do You Need a Solicitor?
There is a persistent myth that a Deed Poll isn't legal unless a solicitor signs it or it is stamped by the High Court. This is simply not true.
In the UK, your name is legally changed the moment you start using a new one—provided you have the right paperwork to back it up. That paperwork is a Standard (Unenrolled) Deed Poll.
Top Tip: Government bodies like the HM Passport Office and the DVLA do not require your Deed Poll to be enrolled. They accept standard Deed Polls every single day.
What Does "Enrolling" Actually Mean?
Enrolling a Deed Poll means you are voluntarily choosing to place your name change on the public record. This involves sending your documents to the Royal Courts of Justice.
While this sounds very official, it comes with two massive downsides that most people want to avoid:
1. The Privacy Risk (The London Gazette)
When you enroll a Deed Poll, you are legally required to publish a notice in The London Gazette. This is a permanent public record. It will list:
- Your old name
- Your new name
- Your full home address
Because The London Gazette is indexed by search engines, anyone Googling your name in the future could find your old identity and exactly where you lived when you changed it. For most of our clients, this is a privacy breach they simply don't want.
2. The Cost and Hassle
Enrolling is slow and expensive. You will have to pay court fees (often £60+), potentially pay a solicitor to witness specific forms, and wait months for the court to process your application.
Compare this to our Complete Package (£29.99), which is instant, private, and accepted by all major UK organisations.
So, When Should You Actually Enroll?
We promised to be honest, so here is the truth. There is really only one specific scenario where enrolling is required:
If you are changing a child's name and you want the name change to be absolutely "locked in" publicly because of a complex custody dispute, or if you want to ensure the name is on public record forever.
Even then, it is difficult. You generally need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility to enroll a child's name change. If you don't have that consent, the court will likely reject it anyway.
The Better Alternative: Keep It Private and Simple
For adults (and most children), the Standard Unenrolled Deed Poll is the superior choice. It is:
| Feature | Enrolled Deed Poll | Standard Deed Poll (Us) |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Published Online (Public) | 100% Private |
| Cost | £60 - £200+ | From £19.49 |
| Speed | Weeks or Months | Instant |
| Acceptance | Accepted | Accepted (Passport, DVLA, Banks) |
Ready to Change Your Name?
Don't waste time with complicated court forms or expensive solicitors. You can start your official name change right now from the comfort of your home.
We recommend our Complete Package (£29.99). It includes your official Deed Poll, plus our essential Step-by-Step Guide which tells you exactly who to notify and in what order—ensuring your application flies through without rejection.
